June 4 (Reuters) - Starbucks ( SBUX ) CEO Brian Niccol

said on Wednesday North America chief stores officer Mike Grams

would now be the chief operating officer of the coffee chain.

In January, Starbucks ( SBUX ) announced its North America president

Sara Trilling and chief supply chain officer Arthur Valdez would

leave.

Trilling's role was split, with former Taco Bell executives

Grams and Meredith Sandland becoming North America chief stores

officer and chief store development officer, respectively.